MANILA, Philippines -- The process of learning never stops for Brazilian-Japanese model Fabio Ide. That is basically the reason why he grabbed the opportunity to be a model, so he can travel the world, discover, and explore different cultures. And of course, there is the process of earning while having fun.

“In the beginning I was shy. I don’t know if I wanted to do this. Then when I started working and making good money from modeling, that was when I said, ok I’ll do this. When I was offered to work in Hong Kong, that’s when I realized, through modeling I can explore the world. I can learn so many different things,” relates Fabio, who was then trying to finish a Marketing degree, while doing modeling on the side.

Fabio has already graced the pages of various catalogues and magazine editorials and has walked the ramps in China, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Los Angeles, and Capetown in South Africa.

And like his fellow Brapanese models Daniel Matsunaga and Akihiro Sato, Fabio has found a new home in the Philippines.

Big move

Not known to many, Fabio paved the way for the other Brazilian models to eke a career here in the Philippines. He was the first to land here in 2006.

“After that, I left and moved to Tokyo. I kept coming back and forth for almost four years until the opportunity

to start a showbiz career here came along. So I decided to stay here for good. And good things started happening,” he says.

Fabio is currently seen in three shows on GMA, including the late-night Saturday show Comedy Bar, a sitcom (Andres de Saya) and a talk show (Tweetbiz Insiders).

“I wasn’t expecting to be working on these shows all at the same time but I’m happy and I feel so blessed. But at the same time there’s pressure to really focus on my career and make it work.

To prove that I deserve all these breaks I’m getting. I keep on hearing people saying, ‘oh he’s just good looking.’ I want to prove to them and myself that I have the talent as well.”

Indeed, Fabio is taking his new craft as an actor seriously. Very much determined to master the Filipino language, Fabio is back in school taking up Tagalog lessons, aside from the acting, dance and voice workshops he has been attending to regularly.

“I told myself, this year is the year when I will improve myself and speak really good Tagalog. Everything is different that’s why it’s a challenge. If I’m in Brazil, with the experience that I have, maybe I would be a big star there now. But here, for you to get there, it takes awhile, and that’s the challenge. You have to study a lot to improve yourself as a model and as an actor,” explains Fabio.